Chief Executive Officer, Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop (RPTW), Usman Peerzada has said that eight international folk festival, organised by RPTW will start from March 21 (tomorrow) and continue till March 27 at Rafi Peer Cultural Centre Raiwind.
He was addressing a press conference along-with Faizan Peerzada, Sadan Peerzada and Tasneem Peerzada on Saturday. Usman said that this year, the festival will attract 10 puppeteers from Norway, India, Siri Lanka as well as local puppeteers from Pakistan to make the festival a true international event. He also said that around 1,500 children will visit the festival. He added that strict security arrangements have been made for the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Faizan Peerzada said that the participating international puppeteers have craved a name for themselves in the world of puppetry by training, entertaining and bringing innovation in the art. He added that an estimated 20,000 visitors will visit the Rafi Peer Cultural Centre during the week to attend the international festival.
Tasneem Peerzada said that that the main objective of the festival is to safeguard and maintain the tradition of live performances as well as raise awareness among the public about the versatility of the folk puppet tradition especially educating the younger generation about the classic art forms. The festival will generate jobs, introduce folk puppeteers to fresh market and encourage them to transfer their art to the future generations.